When we say that OpenEI is a Linked Data system, what does it really mean to you? In short, it means that OpenEI data can easily be connected to other data on the Web (in a standardized way). Okay, but what does that really mean to you? None other than the founder of the Web himself, Tim Berners-Lee, provided some examples to answer that question at a recent TED talk:

• TED 2010 Video: The year open data went worldwide

And if you missed his talk from last year, it provides even more information on the importance of Linked Data:

• TED 2009 Video: Tim Berners-Lee on the next Web

He may not directly mention OpenEI in these talks. But rest assured, he has noticed us.

Climate change is a very hot topic, particularly within the Department of Energy. The Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) recently launched the Investigation of Magnitudes and Probabilities of Abrupt Climate Change (IMPACTS). The scientific research base for climate change continues to grow. Alongside the science, the need for a synthesis of this information to aid future global policy decisions on climate change grows.

U.S. Open Labs, one of OpenEI's seven core gateways, is spearheading the effort to make this information available. U.S. Open Labs lends clean energy tools, data, and expertise from 9 of the Department of Energy's National Laboratories. This readily-available information, as it continues to grow, will support international efforts to combat climate change. Particularly, this information will be made available for developing countries, and hopefully aid them in making informed future policy decisions to help curb the effects of climate change.

To learn more on how to navigate the Open Labs gateway, watch this brief video.

The Wikimedia Foundation recently announced that they'll be using a $2M grant from Google to turn the MediaWiki Usability Initiative into a permanent effort. That's great news for OpenEI, as the MediaWiki software is a key component in our system (along with various additions, including Semantic MediaWiki). So when MediaWiki gets better, we get better.

OpenEI.org has been active in building its online community, and has met its first goal thanks to the efforts of online fans! The OpenEI Facebook page recently reached 100 fans, and continues to reach beyond this goal. Our fans are vital to the success of Openei, and we hope they will engage in all of Openei's social media networks, including our Google Group, Blog, and Twitter pages.

You can still join our Facebook page. All you have to do is have a Facebook account, then you can search for our page by typing in "OpenEI" in the search area, located at the top of any page on Facebook. At the top of the page is a small "become a fan" icon. Once you've clicked that, you are now a fan and will receive updates on what is happening at OpenEI.

Next up, Twitter! OpenEI has set a new goal of 1,000 twitter followers, which we hope to achieve soon. If you'd like to follow us on Twitter, all you need is an account and you can locate our profile, named "Open Energy Info". Simply click the "follow" icon, and you will receive updates related to OpenEI.

From everyone at OpenEI, thanks so much for your interest! Your efforts help us continue to make OpenEI the source for the world's energy data.

On April 16th, 2009, Vice President Joe Biden announced that the Department of Energy was planning to develop a stronger, more reliable energy grid. The plan would allocate $3.4 billion in funds to be distributed across the nation, aiding projects aimed at improving and updating the current electrical power grid in the United States.

Two projects are funded by smart grid: smaller and larger. Smaller projects range from $300,000 to $20,000,000. These projects typically focus on upgrading equipment in less populated ares. Larger projects range from $20,000,000 to $200,000,000 and generally focus on upgrading equipment for a larger geographical area or more densely populated area.

OpenEI.org is the source for smart grid investment award information. Both Investment Grant programs, as well as demonstration projects are layed out in Openei's smart grid gateway. Here you'll find each project, the amount of money allocated to that project, the location, the total value of the project, and any additional areas benefitting from the project.

The smart grid initiative is part of the larger American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Currently, not all of the money for smart grid has been distributed, but the progress can be tracked at Recovery.gov.

Global climate change. Global sustainability. Global economic development. There's no doubt about it—if the nations of the world are going to solve the most pressing environmental, energy, and economic problems, we must do it together.

OpenEI's International Clean Energy Analysis gateway fosters this cooperation by providing global clean energy data, analytical tools, training, and other resources in a dynamic, interactive environment. As a collaborative initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the gateway focuses on the clean energy needs of developing countries.

The home page links to a wealth of information: global clean energy resources, energy analysis tools, financing options, a map of international clean energy programs, and much more. It's also a great place for OpenEI users to learn how to add various elements to their wiki pages. Just sign in and click the Edit tab too see the coding needed to add maps, photos, sidebars, and icons—it's easy!

The International Clean Energy Analysis gateway is currently the most active part of OpenEI. To grow further, its developers are looking to collaborate with individuals and organizations that can expand its information and tools and assist with outreach and training. Visit the gateway to learn about global clean energy development—then stay to contribute your unique knowledge to the ongoing conversation.

Justin Weber believes in the power of open energy information. He's using OpenEI to publicize energy R&D at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)—where he works as a mechanical engineer—and encouraging others within NETL to do so as well.

Justin learned about OpenEI from Secretary of Energy Chu's December 2009 press release. Soon, he became one of OpenEI's earliest and most active contributors. He has added information about NETL and several of its R&D areas:

• National Energy Technology Laboratory
• Chemical Looping
• Energy Storage
• Compressed Air Energy Storage
  
• Pumped Hydro

His experimentation with OpenEI functionality led to the installation of a math equation module—a perfect example of OpenEI's continual evolution through community involvement. To learn more about Justin and his contributions, visit his user page.